Lever actuated paper towel dispenser



March 25, 1958 M. M. MARCU SE ET AL 2,828,124

LEVER ACTUATED PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER Filed Feb. 28, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 N a mmm n mMM N Wm M 5m .T NW N ML 28 mm X w.

March 25, 1958 M. M. MARCUSE 'ET AL ACTUATEQ PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER Filed Feb. 2a, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOIL: v

Lab/5 H. MGR/N M ATTORNEY United States Patent LEVER ACTUATED PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER Moses M. Marcuse, New York, and Louis H. Morin, Bronx, N. Y., assignors to West Disinfecting Company, Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 28, 1955, Serial No. 490,858

15 Claims. (Cl. 2712.3)

This invention relates to paper towel dispensers employing a lever disposed at the front side portion of a dispenser casing for actuating the paper feed rollers of the dispenser in initially projecting a predetermined length of the paper for grasping by the hand in withdrawal of the paper toweling from the dispenser while, at the same time, permitting discharge of the paper through a series of intermittent lever strokes.

More particularly, the invention deals with a simple type of dispensing mechanism, employing an adjustable gear mounting, whereby different sized gears may be readily arranged in the mechanism in controlling the length of toweling to be removed from the dispenser in each cycle of operation thereof.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. l is a side view of one front corner portion of a dispenser, with part of the dispenser removed, the view looking generally in the dierction of the arrow 1 of Fig. 2, but showing the lever of the dispensing mechanism in a different position.

Fig. 2 is a section, substantially on the line 22 of I Fig. 1, with parts of the construction shown in elevation and with the operating lever shown in a different position, and with part of the background omitted.

Fig. 3 is a section, substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3a is a partial section on the line 3a3a of Fig. l; and

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are diagrammatic sectional views showing the brake mechanism and the trip lever for actuating said mechanism in difi'erent'positions during the cycle of operation of the dispenser.

In the accompaying drawing is shown what may be termed the actuating mechanism of a paper towel dispenser, for example, of the type and kind disclosed in application Serial Number 482,809, filed January 19, 1955. For this reason, we have diagrammatically illustratedin Fig. 1 of the drawing, at 10, part of the casing of a dispenser, the casing having means for suitably supporting paper toweling, part of which is indicated at 11 in said figure, for feed through an opening 12in the lower portion of the casing by a pair of main and supplemental feed rollers, indicated at 13 and 14 in said figure, one end portion of the roller 13 being shown in sectional detail in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

At 15 we have indicated the lower portion of a knife or cutter arranged adjacent the opening 12 for severing the paper toweling after a predetermined length thereof has been withdrawn from or dispensed from the casing 10. At 16 is indicated part of a hood, which is movahly supported on the casing, as indicated in said prior application, the hood controlling access to the interior of ice the casing for replacing the toweling employed and also forming an enclosure for the front of the casing.

The entire dispensing mechanism is arranged at one lower side corner portion of the casing. The mechanism comprises a backplate 17, suitably fixed to the casing and a front plate segment 18, adjustably fixed on the plate 17 by a screw 19 operating in an elongated aperture 20 in the segment 18, the screw 19 being coupled with a post 21- fixed to the plate 17 and casing 10, as clearly noted in Fig. 3a of the'drawing. 1

Secured to one end of the main feed roller 13 and protruding therefrom is a shaft 22 having an integral gear 23 disposed outwardly of the plate 17, the shaft 22 forming a pivotal support for the segment plate 18 which is held against displacement from the shaft by a retaining yoke 24 fitting a grooved portion of the shaft 22.

Pivotally mounted on the segment 18 is a pawl 25 normally held in engagement with the gear by a spring 26, the pawl operating to retain the gear 23 against reverse rotation while permitting free rotary movement of said gear and the roller 13 in the direction of the arrow 27 of Fig. l, in the feed discharge of the paper toweling 11 from the dispenser casing. The spring 26 has one end coupled with the pawl, as seen at 28, and the other end to a suitable support on the segment 18, as seen at 29, it being noted that the pawl 25 is pivoted to the segment 18, as seen at 30.

The segment 18 carries, at its rear portion a stud 31, for mounting an intermediate driver gear 32 on the segment 18 and positioning the same in meshing engagement with the gear 23, as well as with a gear 33 on a lever shaft 34. This construction provides for a quick mounting of a modified diameter gear 32 with the segment 18 in varying the feed drive between the roller 13 and the lever shaft 34 in controlling the length of toweling discharged from the dispenser in the manner more fully hereinafter set forth, the aperture 20 facilitating adjustment of the segment 18 into different positions to compensate for the use of gears 32 which are of smaller diameter than the gear shown.

The lever shaft 34 is fixed to the plate 17 and extends outwardly through the side of the casing, as clearly indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing, and rotatable on the shaft 34 is a lever unit 35 comprising a projecting arm 36, having a roughened finger engaging outer end 37 facilitating actuation of the lever unit. A spring 38 is housed in the outer portion of the unit, with one end 39 coupled with the unit and the other end to an adjustable collar 40, recessed in the unit, the collar serving to provide'the desired tension on the unit to normally support the same The pawl 44 constitutes a drive pawl for driving the gear 33 through action of the lever 36 and by means later described. It will be noted, however, that the pawl 44 has an elongated aperture 46, in which a drive pin 47 operates in the positive drive of the gear 33, as later described. I 2

The housing segment 41 includes, at its lower end, a protruding stop 48 and the outer surfaceof the housing has a recessed cam'portion 49, in conjunction with which a roller 50, on a trip lever 51, is adapted to operate. The roller 59 is freely. mounted at one end of the lever a). 51, the lever being pivoted to the plate 17 by a stud 52, said lever 51 having a forwardly and downwardly extending trip arm 53.

Coupled with the upper rear portion of the lever 51 .is a spring 'coupled'with a suitable support 55cm the casing, the spring 54 serving to maintain the roller 50 in constant engagement with the outer cam surface of the housing 41, as well as to support the arm 53 in raised inoperative position, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawing.

Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 34 is a brake housing 56, to which is fixed the gear 33. The housing 56 is shown in diagrammatic section in Figs. 4 to 6, inelusive. The housing has an elongated aperture 57 in its wall and also includes an inwardly projecting seat SSfor a spring 59, the spring also seating in an aperture 6i} of an eccentric brake 61, the brake having an elongated axial aperture 62 for receiving the shaft 34, the brake 61 also including an outer projecting dog 63, which operates in the aperture 57.

The spring 59 serves to normally support the dog 63 in extended position, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing, in which position, the dog bears against a locking bar or stop 64 fixed to the plate 17, as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The bar 64 has a roundedinner surface 65, over which the dog 63 passes in rotation of the brake 56, as indicated in Fig. 5, and as later described. Considering Fig. 6 of the drawing, it will be noted that the dog 63 is indicated in a dotted line position, in which it can strike the inwardly extended end 53 of the arm 53 in checking rotation of the brake in the actuation of the dispenser mechanism in dispensing toweling solely through operation of the lever 36.

Considering Fig. 2 of the drawing, it will appear'that the actuating mechanism is preferably enclosed in a housing 66, shown, in part, in said figure, so as to shield the mechanism when the hood 16 is swung into open position, part of the hood16 being indicated in said figure, and this hood has a recess 67 clearing the hub portion of the lever 36, allowing the hood to swing into open position. Operation of the dispensing mechanism will be readily understood from the foregoing description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the following statement.

At the outset, it is to be kept in mind that two distinct methods of operation can be performed, that is to say, an all lever operation, wherein the lever 36 is intermittently actuated a number of times to discharge the paper toweling 11' from the casing through the opening 12 and this discharge is checked by the dog 63 coming into contact with the stop 53 on the arm 53, whereupon, the discharged paper toweling can be removed by tearing the sheet along the cutter or knife 15,ishown, in part, in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

In the other method of procedure, the lever 36 is first actuated a single stroke, which will be sufiicient to project a short length of the paper toweling 1 1 through the opening 12, after which, the paper toweling can be grasped by the hand and withdrawn until the dog 63 strikes the stop bar 64, whereupon, the toweling will be severed, as previously described.

In both of the foregoing operations, it will be apparent that, at all times, it isfirst essential to actuate the lever 36 in providing the initial discharge of paper toweling through the opening 12. In this initial operation, as the lever 36 is depressed, the housing 41 is rotated which immediately actuates the trip lever 51 through action of the cam surface 43, which results in moving the trip lever from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 5, in whichoperation the dog 63 is moved inwardly through the opening 57 against the action of the spring 59; During this operation, the pin '47 travels forwardly in the elongated aperture 46 of the pawl 44, so

' that the pawl 44 remainsstationary in engagement with 4 the gear 33 and the gear 33 will remain at rest. This operation takes place in the early part of the downward stroke of the lever 36. Continuation of this stroke results in the pin 47 striking the end of the recess 46 to directly engage and actuate the pawl 44, causing the gear 33 to be rotated, thus feeding the dog 63 beneath the curved surface 65 of the lock bar 64, thus freeing the brake and rake housing for continued rotation.

In Fig. 5 of the drawing, we have shown the early stages of the initial operation, above described, with the dog 63 shown beneath the curved surface 65. On completing the initial stroke of the lever 36, approximately two inches of the paper toweling 11 will be projected through the opening 12, thus providing sufficient toweling to be grasped by the fingers of the hand for manual withdrawal of the toweling from the casing. in this operation, the passage of the toweling. over the roller 13 will cause the gear 23 to be rotated, thus rotating the gear 33 through the gear 32, in other words, to continue to rotate the brake housing and brake in the manner partially illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawing. At this time, it will be pointed out that, after the initial stroke of the lever 36 and release of this lever, the spring 33 will return the lever to normal raised position and, at the same time, the spring 54 will return the trip lever 51 to the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing with the roller 56 in the cam groove 49; thus it will be apparent that, with this position of the parts, the brake housing and brake, including the brake dog 63, will be free to move beneath the part 53 of the arm 53 and move into engage ment with the stop or locking bar 64.

On the other hand, if the operator chooses to discharge the paper toweling by a series of intermittent strokes of the lever 36, then the lever will actuate the trip lever 51. bringing it to the position indicated in Fig. 6 and the dog 63 will strike the projection 53 of the arm 53, checking rotation of the feed roller 13. In connection with this last manner of operation, it will be apparent that, as the operator grasps the paper toweling 11 to pull down upon the same, preparatory to tearing the toweling from the casing, the dog 63 will move against the stop 64in check rotation of the roller 13, so as to resist the pulling and tearing strain. In other words, the instant thelever 36 is released, this lever raises to its normal position and the trip lever returns to its normal position, as previously described.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire .to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In dispensersof the character described, employ.

ing main and supplemental feedrollers for discharge of strip material from a dispenser, a feed control dispensing mechanism, comprising a lever shaft; a lever rotatable on said shaft, a gear rotatable on said shaft and includ ing a brake'housing, said lever including a housing segment partially encircling the gear and including a drive pin, a spring actuated pawl mounted in a forked portion of said housing segment, said pawl having an elongated aperture, in which the drive pin operates in positively moving and holding the pawl in operative engagement with said gear in the drive of said gear, one end of the main feed roller having an extended shaft fixed thereto, a gear fixed to said roller shaft, an intermediate gear placing the first and second named gears in operative engagement with each other in controlling the degree of feed of strip material from the dispenser in each cycle of rotation of said first named-gear, aneccentric brake arranged in said brake housing, and a trip lever actuated by the housing segment of said levervfor actuating said brake to move the same into inoperative position, in frecing the first named'gear for a cycle of rotation in dispensing a predetermined length of strip material from the dispenser. V

2. In dispensers of the character described, employing main and supplemental feed rollersfor discharge of strip material from a dispenser, a feed control dispensing mechanism, comprising a lever shaft, a lever'rotatable on said shaft, a gear rotatable on said shaft and including a brake housing, said lever including a housing segment partially encircling the gear and including a drive pin, a spring actuated pawl mounted in a forked portion of said housing segment, said pawl having an elongated aperture, in which the drive pin operates in positively moving and holding the pawl in operative engagement with said gear in the drive of said gear, one end of the main feed roller having an extended shaft fixed thereto, a gear fixed to said roller shaft, an intermediate gear placing the first and second named gears in operative engagement with each other in controlling the degree of feed of strip material from the dispenser in each cycle of rotation of said first named gear, an eccentric brake arranged in said brake housing,-a trip lever actuated by the housing segment of said lever for actuating said brake to move the same into inoperative position, in freeing the first named gear for a cycle of rotation in dispensing a predetermined length of strip material from the dispenser, said eccentric brake including a dog normally positioned in an elongated aperture in the brake housing and engaging a stop bar to retain the brake and first named gear in nonrotatable position, and tensional means for supporting the brake and brake dog in operative position.

3. in dispensers of the character described, employing main and supplemental feed rollers for discharge of strip material from a dispenser, a feed control dispensing mechanism, comprising a lever shaft, 'a lever rotatable on said shaft, a gear rotatable on said shaft and including a brake housing, said lever including a housing segment partially encircling the gear and including a drive pin, a spring actuated pawl mounted in a forked portion of said housing segment, said pawl having an elongated aperture, in which the drive pin operates in positively moving and holding the pawl in operative engagement with said gear in the drive of said gear, one end of the main feed roller having an extended shaft fixed thereto, a gear fixed to said roller shaft, an intermediate gear placing the first and second named gears in operative engagement with each other in controlling the degree of feed of strip material from the dispenser in each cycle of rotation of said first named gear, an eccentric brake arranged in said brake housing, a trip lever actuated by the housing segment of said lever for actuating said brake to move the same into inoperative position, in freeing the first named gear for a cycle of rotation in dispensing a predetermined length of strip material from the dispenser, said eccentric brake including a dog normally positioned in an elongated aperture in the brake housing and engaging a stop bar to retain the brake and first named gear in non-rotatable position, tensional means for supporting the brake and brake dog in operative position, and said trip lever includinga trip arm operatively engaging said dog to move the same into inoperative position with respect to said stop bar.

. 4. In dispensers of the character described, employing main andsupplemental feed rollers for discharge of strip material from a dispenser, a feed control dispensing mechanism, comprising a lever shaft, a lever rotatable on said shaft, a gear rotatable on said shaft and including a brake housing, said lever-including a housing segment partially encircling the gear and including a drive pin, a spring actuated pawl mounted in a forked portion of said housing segment, said pawl having an elongated aperture, in which the drive pin operates in positively moving and holding the pawl in operative engagement with said gear in the drive of said gear, one end of the main feed roller having extended shaft fixed thereto, a gear fixed to said roller shaft, an intermediate gear placing the first and second named gears in operative engagement with each other in controlling the degree of feed of strip material from the dispenser in each cycle of rotation of said first. named gear, an eccentric brake arranged in said brake housing, a trip lever actuated by the housing segment of saidlever for actuating said brake'to move the same into inoperative position, in freeing the first named gear for a cycle of rotation in dispensing a predetermined length of strip material from the dispenser, said eccentric brake including a dog normally positioned in an elongated aperture in the brake housing and engaging a stop bar to retain the brake and first named gear in non-rotatable position, tensional means for supporting the brake and brake dog in operative position, said trip lever including a trip arm operatively engaging said dog to move the sam into inoperative position with respect to said stop bar, the elongated aperture of said pawl permitting free movement of the drive pin and housing segment of the lever for actuating said trip lever to move the dog of said eccentric brake into inoperative position, permitting drive of the first named gear in a complete operation of the actuating lever, and means for adjustably supporting the intermediate gear circumferentially of the main feed roller shaft to adapt the dispensing mechanism for varied feed controls.

5. In dispensers of the character described, employing main and supplemental feed rollers for discharge of strip material from a dispenser, a feed control dispensing mechanism, comprising a lever shaft, a lever rotatable on said shaft, a gear rotatable on said shaft and including a brake housing, said lever including a housing segment partially encircling the gear and including a drive pin, a spring actuated pawl mounted in a forked portion of said -rousing segment, said pawl having an elongated aperture,

in which the drive pin operates in positively moving and holding the pawl in operative engagement with said gear in the drive of said gear, one end of the main feed roller having an extended shaft fixed thereto, a gear fixed to said roller shaft, an intermediate gear placing the first and second named gears in operative engagement with each other in controlling the degree of feed of strip material from the dispenser in each cycle of rotation of said first named gear, an eccentric brake arranged in said brake housing, a trip lever actuated by the housing segment of said lever for actuating said brake to move the same into inoperative position, in freeing the first named gear for a cycle of rotation in dispensing a predetermined length of strip material from the dispenser, said eccentric brake including a dog normally positioned in an elongated aperture in the brake housing and engaging a stop bar to retain the brake and first named gear in nonrotatable position, tensional means for supporting the brake and brake dog in operative position, said trip lever including a trip arm operatively engaging said dog to move the same into inoperative position with respect to said stop bar, the elongated aperture of said pawl permitting free movement of the drive pin and housing segment of the lever for actuating said trip lever to move the dog of said eccentric brake into inoperative position, permitting drive of the first named gear in a complete operation of the actuating lever, and a spring actuated pawl operatively engaging the gear of the feed roller shaft to control rotation of the feed roller only in one direction.

6. In dispensers of the character described, employing main and supplemental feed rollers for discharge of strip material from a dispenser, a feed control dispensing mechanism, comprising a lever shaft, a leverrotatable on said shaft, a gear rotatable on said shaft and including a brake housing, said lever including a housing segment partially encircling the gear and including a drive pin, a spring actuated pawl mounted in a forked portion of said housing segment, said pawl having an elongated aperture, in which the drive pin operates in positively moving and holding the pawl in operative engagement with said gear in the drive of said gear, one end of the main feed roller having an extended shaft fixed thereto, a gear fixed to said roller shaft, an intermediate gear placing the first and second named gears in operative engagement with each other in controlling the degree of feed of strip material from the dispenser in each cycle of rotation of said first named gear, an eccentric brake arranged in said brake housing, atrlip lever actuated by the housing segment 'of said lever for actuating said brake to move the same into inoperative position, in freeingthe first named gear for a cycle of rotation in dispensing a predetermined length of strip material from the dispenser, said eccentric brake including a dog normally positioned in an elongated aperture in the brake housing and engaging a stop bar to retain the brake and first named gear in nonrotatable position, tensional means for supporting the brake and brake dog in operative position, said trip lever including a trip arm operatively engaging said dog to move the same into inoperative position with respect to said stop bar, said brake dog operatively engaging the stop bar in checking rotation of the first named gear, and the arm of said trip lever having an olfset stop adapted to be engaged by the brake dog in checking rotation of the first named gear through the medium of said actuating lever.

7; In dispensers of the character described, employing a feed roller for discharge of strip material from the dispenser, a feed control and dispensing mechanism, arranged at one side of the dispenser, and in operative engagement with said feed roller in controlling the length of discharge of strip material from the dispenser in each cycle of operation of said mechanism, said mechanism including an actuating lever arranged outwardly of the dispenser and adapted to be manually rotated in one direction on a supporting shaft, tensional means for rotating the lever in the opposite direction on said shaft and urging said lever into inoperative position, means comprising a gear train consisting of a gear on a shaft fixed to said feed roller, a gear rotatable about said lever shaft and an intermediate gear meshing with said first named gears, a brake mechanism controlling drive of all of said gears, means comprising a dog on the brake of said brake mechanism for normally retaining the gears against rotation, means providing limited free rotation of said actuating lever for operation of a trip lever to move the brake dog into inoperative position, preparatory to rotation of the ears by a pawl engaging the gear on the lever shaft, upon further rotary movement manually imparted to said lever, and means to engage said brake dog upon completing a cycle of rotation of the gear on said lever shaft to control the length of strip material discharged frorn the dispenser in rotation of said feed roller.

8. in dispensers of the character described, employing a feed roller for discharge of strip material from the dispenser, a feed control and dispensing mechanism, ar-

ranged at one side of the dispenser, and in operative engagement with said feed roller in controlling the length of discharge of strip material from the dispenser in each cycle of operation of said mechanism, said mechanism including an actuating lever arranged outwardly of the dispenser and adapted to be manually rotated in one direction on a supporting shaft, tensional means for rotating the lever in the opposite direction on said shaft and urging said lever into inoperative position, means comprising a gearv train consisting of a gear on a shaft fixed to said feed roller, a gear rotatable about said lever shaft and an intermediate gear meshing with said first named gears, a brake mechanism controlling drive of all of said'gears, means comprising a dog on the brake of said brake mechanism for normally retaining the gears against rotation, means providing limited free rotation of said actuating lever for operation of a trip lever to move the brake dog into inoperative, position, preparatory to rotation of the gears 'by a pawl engaging the gear on the lever shaft, upon further rotary movement manually imparted tosaid lever, means to engage said brake dog upon completing a cycle of rotation ofthe gear on said lever shaft to control the length of strip material discharged from the dispenser in rotation of said feed roller, and means on sai'd actuating lever engaging the trip lever toe-heck rotation of said actuating lever. v V V V 7 9. In dispensers of the character described, employing a feediroller for discharge of strip material from thedispenser, a feed control and dispensing mechanism, arranged at one side of the dispenser, and in operative en gagement with said feed roller in controlling the length of discharge of strip material from the dispenser in each cycle of operation of said mechanism, said mechanism including an actuating lever arranged outwardly of therdispenser and adapted to be manualiyrotated in one direction on a supporting shaft, tensional means for rotating the lever in the opposite direction on said shaft and urging said lever into inoperative position, means comprising a gear train consisting of a gear on a shaft fixed to said feed roller, a gear rotatable about said lever shaft and an intermediate gear meshing with said first named gears, a brake mechanism controlling drive of all of said gears, means comprising a dog on the brake of said brake mechanism for normally retaining the gears against rotation, means providing limited free rotation of said actuating lever for operation of a trip lever to move the brake dog into inoperative position, preparatory to rotation of the gears by'a pawl engaging the gear on the lever shaft, upon further rotary movement manually imparted to said lever, means to engage said brake dog upon completing a cycle of rotation ofthe gear on said lever shaft to control the length of strip material discharged from the dispenser in rotation of said feed roller, means on said actuating lever engaging the trip lever to check rotation of said actuating lever, and tensional means for normally supporting the trip lever in inoperative position. 7

10. in dispensers of the character described, employing a feed roller for discharge of strip material from the dispenser, a feed control and dispensing mechanism, arranged at one side of the dispenser, and in operative engagement with said first roller in controlling the lengthof discharge of strip material from the dispenser in each cycle of operation of said mechanism, said mechanism including an actuating lever arranged outwardly of the dispenser and adapted to be manually rotated in one direction on a supporting shaft, tensional means for rotating the lever in the opposite direction on said shaft and urging said lever into inoperative position, means comprising a gear train consisting of a gear on a shaft fixed to said feed roller, a gear rotatable about said lever shaft and an intermediate gear meshing with said first named gears, a brake mechanism controlling drive of all of said gears, means comprising a dog on the brake of said brake mechanism for normally retaining the gears against rotation, means providing limited free rotation of said actuating lever for operation of a'trip lever to move the brake dog into inoperative position, preparatory to rotation of the gears by a pawl engaging the gear on the levertshaft, upon further rotary movement manually imparted to said lever, means to engage said brake dog upon completing a cycle of rotation of the gear on said leer shaft to control the-length of strip material discharged from the dispenser in rotation of said feed roller, means on said actuating lever engaging the trip lever to check rotation of said actuating lever, tensional means for normally supporting the trip lever in inoperative position, and means comprising a spring actuated pawl operatively engaging one of said gears to control one directional rotation of said feed roller.

ll. In dispensers of the character described, employing a feed roller for discharge of strip material from the dispenser, a feedtcontrol and dispensing mechanism, ar ranged at one side of the dispenser, and in operative engagernent with said feed roller in controlling the length of discharge of strip material from the dispenser in each cycle of operation of said mechanism, said mechanism including an actuating lever arranged outwardly of the dispenser and adapted to be manually rotated in one direction on a supporting shaft, tensional means for rotating the lever in the opposite direction on said shaft and urging said lever into inoperative-position, means comprising a gear train consisting of a gear on a shaft 'fix'ed to said feed roller, a gear rotatable about said lever shaft and an intermediate gear meshing with said first named gears, a brake mechanism controlling drive of all of said gears, means comprising a dog on the brake of said brake mechanism for normally retaining the gears against rotation, means providing limited free rotation of said actuating lever for operation of a trip lever to move the brake dog into inoperative position, preparatory to rotation of the gears by :a pawl engaging the gear on the lever shaft upon further rotary movement manually imparted to said lever, means to engage said brake dog upon completing a cycle of rotation of the gear on said lever shaft to control the length of strip material discharged from the dispenser in rotation of said feed roller, tensional means for normally supporting said pawl in operative position, and tensional means for normally supporting the trip lever in inoperative position.

12. In dispensers of the character described, employing a feed roller for discharge of strip material from the dispenser, feed control and dispensing mechanism, arranged at one side of the dispenser, and in operative engagement withsaid feed roller in controlling the length of discharge of strip material from the dispenser in each cycle of operation of said mechanism, said mechanism including an actuating lever arranged outwardly of the dispenser and adapted to be manually rotated in one direction on a supporting shaft, tensional means for rotating the lever in the opposite direction on said shaft and urging said lever into inoperative position, means comprising a gear train consisting of a gear on a shaft fixed to said feed roller, a gear rotatable about said lever shaft and an intermediate gear meshing with said first named gears, a brake mechanism controlling drive of all of said gears, means comprising a dog on the brake of said brake mechanism for normally retaining the gears against rotation, means providing limited free rotation of said actuating lever for operation of a trip lever to move the brake dog into inoperative position, preparatory to rotation of the gears by a pawl engaging the gear on the lever shaft, upon further rotary movement manually imparted to said lever, means to engage said brake dog upon completing a cycle of rotation of the gear on said lever shaft to control the length of strip material discharged from the dispenser in rotation of said feed roller, and means for adjustably supporting theintermediate gear for modifying the ratio of the gear train in control of the length of discharge of strip material from the dispenser in each cycle of operation thereof.

13. In a machine for dispensing predetermined lengths of strip material, a feed control mechanism for dispensing a predetermined length of strip material, said mechanism comprising a manually actuated lever unit, said unit comprising an integral lever and housing,,said housing including a cam portion, means comprising a brake movably arranged within a brake nousing disposed within and actuated by said lever unit for actuating said feed control mechanism, means normally retaining the brake at rest, and means, actuated by said cam portion, for moving said brake into inoperative position with respect to said last named means in the drive of the feed control mechanism by said lever unit.

14. In a machine for dispensing predetermined lengths of strip material, a feed control mechanism for dispensing a predetermined length of strip material, said mechanism comprising a manually actuated lever unit, said unit comprising an integral lever and housing, said housing including a cam portion, means comprising a brake movably arranged within a brake housing disposed within and actuated by said lever unit for actuating said feed control mechanism, means normally retaining the brake at rest, means, actuated by said cam portion, for moving said brake into inoperative position with respect to said last named means in the drive of the feed control mechanism by said lever unit, and means automatically controlling one directional drive of said feed control mechanism.

15. In a machine for dispensing predetermined lengths of strip material, a feed control mechanism for dispensing a predetermined length of strip material, said mechanism comprising a manually actuated lever unit, said unit comprising an integral lever and housing, said housing including a cam portion, means comprising a brake movably arranged within a brake housing disposed within and actuated by said lever unit for actuating said feed control mechanism, means normally retaining the brake at rest, means, actuated by said cam portion, for moving said brake into inoperative position with respect to said 7 last named means in the drive of the feed control mechanism by said lever unit, said brake including a brake dog, said brake housing having an aperture, through which the dog of said brake is adapted to extend in engaging said second named means, and tensional means, within said brake housing, operatively engaging the brake for movement thereof into extended position with respect to said brake housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,186,685 Rydquist June 13, 1916 2,105,928 Perrin Jan. 10, 1938 2,134,631 Birr Oct. 25, 1938 2,260,925 .Wooster Oct. 28, 1941 2,277,051 West "2... Mar. 24, 1942 2,291,047 Lewis et al. July 28, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 610,555 Great Britain Oct. 18, 1948 

